MLB's New TV Partners Deliver Strong Debut Audiences

Netflix and NBC see big viewership for first primetime games under new MLB deal

Apr. 1, 2026 at 9:48pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Major League Baseball's new media rights deal with Netflix and NBC got off to a strong start, with the season-opening games on both platforms drawing significantly higher viewership than recent years. Netflix's telecast of the New York Yankees vs. San Francisco Giants game on March 25 drew 2.97 million viewers, while NBC's primetime coverage of the Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Arizona Diamondbacks on March 26 had 3.2 million viewers, including 460,000 on Peacock.

Why it matters

The robust opening day ratings are an encouraging sign for MLB's new TV partners as they look to build viewership and engagement under the league's three-year media rights deal. After years of declining ratings, the league is hoping the new broadcast and streaming deals will help grow its audience, especially among younger demographics.

The details

MLB stretched out its opening games over three days last week, with the Yankees-Giants matchup considered the official season opener. But the majority of teams began play on March 26, with a few stragglers on March 27. Last year's single season opener averaged about 1.9 million viewers on ESPN, putting both the Netflix and NBC games more than 50% ahead of that telecast.

  • The Yankees-Giants game aired on Netflix on March 25, 2026.
  • The Dodgers-Diamondbacks game aired on NBC and Peacock on March 26, 2026.

The players

Netflix

A major streaming platform that is a new media partner for MLB, streaming a handful of games including the season opener and Home Run Derby.

NBC

A broadcast network that is a new MLB media partner, taking over Sunday night games for much of the season.

ESPN

A long-time MLB media partner that is scaling back its on-air telecasts but has acquired streaming service MLB.TV as part of the new deal.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

The takeaway

MLB's new media rights deal with Netflix, NBC, and other partners is off to a promising start, with the season-opening games on the new platforms drawing significantly higher viewership than recent years. This suggests the league's strategy of expanding its broadcast and streaming footprint could help grow its audience, especially among younger demographics, over the course of the three-year deal.